A pair of Sidney residents are very happy with the response they received when they asked council for a new pedestrian-controlled crossing at Henry Avenue and Seventh Street.

The municipality will be putting it in this month and it’s expected to be operating by September. The plans are to install pedestrian crossing signs, new curbs and a button-operated flashing light.

Helen Martin, a resident of Amica on Beechwood, an independent living facility not far from the intersection, led an effort to get 300 names on a petition calling for the improvement. She brought that petition to council on July 14.

“I am grateful to Sidney,” said Martin, who is legally blind. “They really did act quickly.”

Martin added she has lived in Sidney for only a year after moving here from Esquimalt. She said she felt it was important to ask for a pedestrian-controlled light at Henry and Seventh because of its proximity to many senior facilities, as well as Sidney Elementary School. She also took action after hearing the story of Jacquie Kidd, whose mother was struck by a car and killed in an intersection near the school two years ago.

Kidd said she didn’t think of petitioning for safer crossings at that time, but back in May of this year when Martin approached her, she said she got behind the effort.

Sidney Mayor Larry Cross said the pedestrian-controlled light and curb works will cost around $17,000. The money is in the budget and a grant will help offset the overall cost.

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